Cole-Hamilton speaks in abortion safe access zones debate

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament this afternoon during the debate on the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

“When I was first elected to this place in 2016, within 18 months I had asked the first questions about safe access zones. But it took the election of Ms Mackay to this chamber in 2021 to actually move it to a statutory footing, where we are today.

“Nobody should be forced to cross a picket line to access intimate medical care.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats have been guardians, among others, of freedom of expression within the bounds of the law, but we are entirely clear that this bill is compatible with that tradition.

“The Pregnancy Advisory Service has said that 70% of women in Scotland live in a health board area where protests have taken place. In 2019, they say that more than 100,000 women were targeted outside clinics across the UK.

“All this bill seeks to do is to ensure that anyone accessing medical care can do so without harassment or fear or judgement. It seeks to safeguard their basic right to medical privacy.

“I still have concerns about the powers of the bill as drafted to offer ministers the ability to reduce the size of buffer zones if they so choose, and I welcome the committee’s observation around that in their report.

“I have met with Gillian Mackay and Jenni Minto in recent months to discuss this and I look forward to working with them to find a way through this.

“Introducing buffer zones around these clinics is a reasonable and proportionate step to protect safe and discreet access to abortion services in this country.

“I am very proud to offer the support of the Liberal Democrats to Gillian Mackay’s bill.”